Leuva Patidar Samaj of London

“To uphold a culture, where our past drives our future in order to embrace tradition

and ancestry within a community who prides the old and embraces the new...with

lots of fun on the way”

Issue 3: Mar 2016 WINTER EDITION

SaMachar Welcome Members Our energetic, enthusiastic dancing President and Vice President, Minesh and Tanuja have decided to step down in the last month after presiding over some significant, positive changes and a very busy last quarter in 2015. Please do take the time to read their letters to all the members of LPSoL. On behalf of the rest of the committee, trustees and I am sure the wider membership, please join us in show-ing our heartfelt thanks and appreciation of taking the LPSoL charity to the next level. Under their leader-ship, they have introduced us to the benefits of online and text tools and social media as well as swishy events! Please do feel free to contact Minesh (Ruva) and Tanuja (Umrakh) directly – I am sure they would appreciate it and who knows, it will encourage them to come back as soon as their batteries are recharged! But don’t worry, unlike the Diwali show when they were dancing on stage, this month you can join them on the Dance Floor at our Sold Out Dinner and Dance. All the best to them both in their health, career and personal lives. This is a packed newsletter holding information on every aspect of life that LPSoL members hold dear – so-cial events like the Dinner and Dance; charitable work for LPSoL and other good causes; having your voice at an AGM; religious events like Navratri and Diwali; and big birthdays and the bereavements when we all get to pull together and remind ourselves of what is truly important – our families. Please come to the next AGM on Sunday 24 April 2016 as we want to further grow our committee and trustee team and expand their goals. In particular, at the AGM, we would like your view on two hot topics. 1 what types of social and cultural activities do our members need, as well as want; and 2 family dynamics – particularly, finding the right partner and the resurgence of the Samaj and parents’ roles. DIY and online sites, including those targeting Indians, are struggling to match like-minded singles, looking to commit, be-cause their databases are clogged with drifters who can only text & whatsapp! Your LPSOL membership is not just our responsibility, but bringing the benefits of unity and addressing our members’ concerns is also your birth right. So come to the AGM and mingle with fellow LPSOL-ers so we can work together, in unity, in bringing greater fulfillment in all our lives. We are both parents keen to ensure that, in today’s digital age and hectic Londoners’ lives we do not get distracted from who we really are. We are Leuva Patidars. Acting President and Vice-President Shaylesh Ishwerbhai (Sevani) and Anandbhai Rohitbhai (Moti Chovisi)

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Contents Page What’s Inside...

The Year Ahead

Issue 3: Mar 2016 WINTER EDITION

Upcoming Events

Page 3 - Navratri 2015

Page 4 - 5 Diwali 2015

Page 6 - Sports Tournament

Page 7 - Xmas Update 2015

Page 8 - Teamwork

Page 9 - Membership

Page 10 - 11 Special Funds Appeal

Page 12 - 13 AGM Update

Page 14 - 15 Announcements

Page 16 - Leuva4Life

Dinner & Dance 19th March 7pm - 1 am

AGM 24.4.16 from 10:30am - 1:30pm

LPS Sports Day in Coventry 3rd, July (Free Travel & Entry for Par-

ticipants)

May/June 2016 - LPSoL Elders All-Inclusive Holiday

Navratri 1st - 9th October

Poonam 15th October

Diwali 3rd November

Early/Mid December Kids Xmas Party

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Navratri 2015 Bigger and Better

Issue 3: Mar 2016 WINTER EDITION

Well we said we were going to introduce some major changes and that we certainly did for Navratri 2015 and what a success it was…We had the introduction of a new band, a new venue (Swaminarayan Kingsbury Mandir), food served everyday and not forgetting the all important new Mandir to contribute to last year’s event.

We saw bigger crowds in comparison to last year on all days and had sell out days at the weekends. The atmosphere was more enthusiastic and energetic than previous years and the amount of positive feedback we received for the efforts and organisation put in by the team was overwhelming so thanks to those who took the time out to share your views.

It goes without saying that without the continued support of our Samaj members, these events would be a complete waste of time, energy and money so thanks to those who turned up most, if not all days to celebrate Navratri with us. Also a congratulations goes out to the new faces that also attended this year to support our Samaj. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed.

A massive thank you to all of our sponsors for Navratri 2015. This includes the sponsorship for food, Drinks, the new Mandir and of course our regular donations. Without these offerings, it is difficult to justify bigger better events… This year will be no different…We plan to make it more successful than last. Preps for Navratri 2016 are already underway and with two full weekends this year, we expect an even bigger turnout to hear our even better band . We are current-ly in talks with one of the highest quality bands in the UK to try a secure a 9 night deal with them and the smaller tasks involved in putting the event together have already begun. If you are interested in helping out at Navratri physically or financially (either sponsorship, donation or regular scheduled payment into the Navratri fund) please email

Samaj@londonsamaj.com. For further details on Navratri 2016 including dates and venue, please look out on our Face-book, Website and future newsletters.

We look forward to seeing many of you at this years event.

LPSoL Management Committee.

Page 4 Issue 3: Mar 2016 WINTER EDITION

Diwali Extravaganza

Some Snaps!

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Diwali Extravaganza Update!

Issue 3: Mar 2016 WINTER EDITION

Bollywood Extravaganza 2015 The 2015 Diwali show was the amazing culmination of months of hard work put in by the organis-ing committee. There was something to see, do and taste from the moment you entered the venue, from taste tin-gling canapés, thirst quenching mocktails to a Bollywood style rickshaw. Not forgetting the amaz-ing jewellery stall by R K Collection, all whilst mingling with family and friends. Going through to the main event area transformed you to Mumbai Filmcity, with Shahrukh Khan greeting the guests (OK, it was a cardboard cutout). The delightfully decorated tables and poster board were setting the scene for the night ahead. What a night it was. The nervous committee members started off the evening with our traditional opening prayers, then it was over to our beautiful compares to take over and host the unforgettable evening of entertainment. As we all know it's not easy getting the crowds attention, great effort ladies. During the evening we had Jay Kumar take the children away to learn a dance routine, which they later performed excellently on stage. Well done to you all. Shahid and Abira, from Bend It Like Beckham, sang wonderfully throughout the evening, from golden oldies to modern day songs. During our starters we were entertained by our favorite magician, Bharatbhai, with table magic. All the ladies were taking notes and making wish lists during our first ever fashion show by R K Collection. The show stopper of the night came during Bhavesh, Payal and Karishma's second per-formance when they were joined by our very own President, Minesh, and Vice President, Tanuja, which bought the house down. Before finally ending our evening with our traditional raffle and awards, and for those that still had energy to burn, hitting the dance floor. Not forgetting the fabulous food served by caterers Rajbhog, with the sumptuous Papdi Chaat going down especially well. A special thanks goes out to our sponsors, Barclays, plus from our members Hitesh (Derod), Udai (Kharvasa), Babita (Kuched) Natvarbhai (Chikhli-Dungar) and Neha (Asta) & Some anonymous donors. Without people like you sponsoring parts of our events it would not have been possible. We were pleased to read your comments in the book that was passed around during the evening. Here are a few of them.

Laughter, Pleasurable, Social, Original, Lovely Evening This should be worth at least £15 per person.

Compared to all the years before this one has been very different. I loved doing my dance with Jay Kumar

Barclays Ladies: Thank you for a wonderful experience, I loved the atmosphere, decorations and food. It was very special to be part of your celebrations. To be able to help and contribute to

such a great cause.

Organising committee : Dipak, Tanuja, Sanjai, Mahendra, Raju and Sadhana

Page 6 Issue 3: Mar 2016 WINTER EDITION

UK Sports

Tournament

LPSOL is funding the teams’ entry fee and transport by mini-bus. Whether you want to enter a team or join the mini-bus convoy as a spectator, please register at

samaj@londonsamaj.com by 30 April 2016 for free entry and transport

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Kids Xmas Party Christmas in the Jungle

Issue 3: Mar 2016 WINTER EDITION

Christmas 2015 saw the return of our much anticipated kids event in the year, The Kids Christmas Party.

The Theme we went for this year was “Christmas in the Jungle” and what a roaring event it was, our lovely animal friends stole the show from Boa Constrictors to Tarantulas, and the kids thoroughly enjoyed meeting these guys. We are so impressed with the kids being so brave petting these animals, they really did have a blast. The day ended with Santa greeting the children and presenting them with their gifts.

Another successful Christmas Party and we are already looking forward to the next one.

Page 8 Issue 3: Mar 2016 WINTER EDITION

Teamwork

We have had a number of fantastic events since our last newsletter, with further detailed reports found inside this one. As a committee we recently attended a team building event along with the Trustees, at “Hint Hunt London”. This was a novel idea suggested and all who attended embraced the exercise. The actual event allowed committee members and trus-tees to participate in individual teams in a “Who Done It” activity, which needed team work to discover the perpetrator. An hour long event which went by far too quickly, with a num-ber of the teams identifying the murderer and others who came very close. Comments re-ceived after the event from all was an imaginary event that needed us to work together to achieve an end goal. Stimulating event, with all embracing the concept, with individual tal-ents that each of us demonstrated, to identify the murderer. Want to be a part of this committee? Please contact us at samaj@londonsamaj.com, we want new and fresh ideas all the time so why not get involved, we promise you will not be asked to do anything that’s outside your comfort zone, even if you can spare an hour month is a bonus for us.

Dinner & Dance 2016 50 Shades of Blue

DINNER & DANCE

Dinner & Dance 2016 50 Shades of Blue

Page 9 Issue 3: Mar 2016

Membership

WINTER EDITION

As you are all aware, the U.K. Samaj Directory is going to be published soon. The deadline to update your details or join is 31 March 2016. It is these details that will be used for the Directory. Please ensure your details are correct by this date as LPSOL will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions. In order to make full use of your membership, please ensure that your photograph is uploaded. This can be done via you computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. You will then receive a membership card which can then be used at all London Samaj events to gain access without having to queue up. To amend, check or join please use the link below https://membermojo.co.uk/londonsamaj Or alternatively, email membership@londonsamaj.com The deadline to update or become a member of LPSOL, in order to be included in the UK Samaj Directory, Is 31 March 2016. Please use the link to ensure your details are correct or to join as LPSOL will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Regards Sadhana Patel Vice Membership Secretary

LPS UK Diary

Page 10 Issue 3: Mar 2016 WINTER EDITION

Special Funds Appeal

Our Target

If just 40 donors, earning an average of £30k pa, gift-aid donated just 1% of their pay, then that £25 per month would pay for the £15,000 cost for all 9 nights of Nav-ratri. Our Samaj is all about sharing and coming together as a community. It’s as simple as that.

Similarly, 35 donors gifting £10 per month would cover the cost of our annual Di-wali dinner

We hope many of our members would do this for our samaj and the City that has given them and their family the opportunity to thrive in their work, but still be-long to a close knit community. Diwali and Navratri are traditionally the season for charitable acts – so please join us in spirit and action.

We would also like to continue sending our Aarti money to fund the renovation work in the Bardoli Area Community Schools by providing benches in the chil-dren’s playground and sport facilities in order that the children there can benefit from the same sporting facilities that our children in England have been lucky enough to have had access to during their childhood.

Get InTouch and Support us Financially

Page 11 Issue 3: Mar 2016 WINTER EDITION

Special Funds Appeal

THE LPSoL SPECIAL FUNDS APPEAL

The goal for 2016 is to raise funds to cover costs of two key events:

Navratri and Diwali.

To host events of 2015 standard and better, we hope that each of you are able to contribute a small monthly sum towards this great cause. This can be as small as £10 per month or as high as £50 per month (!)- every little helps

particularly as we can gift aid your money which currently enables us to claim a fur-ther 25 pence tax credit per £. Plus 300 companies in the UK match their staff’s do-nations to registered charities like LPSOL, so please check with your work’s HR de-partment. So go ahead and set-up your Standing Order online or at your local bank and email treasurer@londonsamaj.com who will issue a donation receipt at the end of the tax year for your records.

Example:

30 members donating £25per month = £9000 (This pays for the Navratri Band) 30 members donating £10per month = £3600 (This pays for the Food at Diwali)

LPSoL are now a registered charity with JustGiving, we have made it easier for you to donate at a click of a button, please see below banner and you will see how easy it really is.

Page 12 Issue 3: Mar 2016 WINTER EDITION

AGM 2016

Have Your Say

LPSOL 2015 accounts charitable charitable charitable funds funds funds sponsors membership charitable Net raised spent net corporate and donations arti expense Total indiv sponsors Navratri 690.00 -19,628.77 -18,938.77 3,100.00 10,051.00 -5,787.77 Funday/Mela/Holi 0.00 -174.21 -174.21 0.00 -174.21 General All year 0.00 548.80 3,538.20 0.00 4,087.00 Diwali 1,575.00 -8,656.48 -7,081.48 6,000.00 1,021.00 -60.48 Bournemouth Seaside 360.00 -521.78 -161.78 20.00 -141.78 Jungle party 0.00 -110.00 -110.00 0.00 0.00 -110.00 Arti& Appeal collections 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,301.00 -1,301.00 0.00 Education & Training -630.00 -630.00 -630.00 Christmas 399.03 -882.79 -483.76 1,000.00 516.24 Events total 3,024.03 -30,604.03 -27,580.00 10,648.80 15,931.20 -1,301.00 -2,301.00 Interest income 6,019.58 Gift Aid from HMRC 3,982.81 Other costs (inc insurance, posted newsletters and online costs) -5,262.01 Surplus for 2015 2,439.38 Net Assets b/fwd 323,175.64 Net Assets at 31 Dec 2015 325,615.02

AGM 24th April, 2016 10:30am -1:30 pm Building 3 North London Business Pk, Oakleigh Rd South,

New Southgate, London N11 1NP http://www.comerservicedoffices.co.uk/north-london-

business-park/location/

Page 13 Issue 3: Feb 2016 WINTER EDITION

Rajeshbhai Thakorbhai (Toli) will be standing down as his tenure ends at this AGM.

At the forthcoming AGM we will be looking to ratify some of the positions of the current serving trus-tees. Once the ratification process has taken place trustees will be eligible to stand down and new ones can be elected and/or current trustees can reapply. We kindly request current Samaj members who wish to stand as trustees to please make an application in writing to the Secretary of the Management Com-mittee prior to the AGM and preferably 2 weeks prior to the AGM which would give the committee ade-quate time to vet their application.

The further requirements to be eligible to apply for a trustee position are:

- Any member can be elected , who has served the Samaj as a Committee Member for a minimum of 2 years and whose attendance at the committee meetings has been more than two thirds of the total num-ber of meetings held during his or her period of service. His or her name should be published with the notice of the Annual General meeting.

- Be at least thirty years of age (unless otherwise approved by the members present at the Annual Gen-eral Meeting.

- Be a permanent resident of the united Kingdom.

- Be of high standing and responsibility in the Community.

- Have never been a bankrupt, convicted of a serious criminal offence or of unsound mind.

- No Trustee shall hold office for a period of more than five years, where upon, he or she must resign. The outgoing Trustee may stand for re-election for a further five years.

- Trustees who have previously served office shall be considered for re-election by the Managing Com-mittee.

Further details will be made available upon request, via LPSOL secretary or any existing Trustee member.

At the AGM, the accounts (shown in summary form in this newsletter, the full set are at londonsamaj.com) will be presented to the members for approval.

Also, as normal at alternate AGMs, the entire current committee will be standing down and handing over to a new committee, made up of people to keen to make their mark on society, by building a legacy that our LPSOL members can be proud of.

You don't have to join the main committee to help out. Bring and build your skills, network and socialise in whatever way suits you. That can be online or via meet-ups or through conference calls. Become part of the committee team or one of "Friends of the London Samaj" and what you get back will amaze you. Speak to any of the committee members or call Anand or Shaylesh to see what you might be able to do for your Samaj & what you will get out of it.

AGM 2016

Have Your Say

Announcements

Remember to Like our Facebook Page - LPSOL. Why not send us a Tweet @londonsamaj Email Us: samaj@londonsamaj.com Or just browse – www.londonsamaj.com

WINTER EDITION

Laxmiben Vallabhbhai

Mori

Natwarlal Ramanlal

Dastan

Maniben Chottubhai

Dhaman

Sarojben Mohanbhai

Hathuka

Unfortunately we have sadly lost the following members

Gulabben Parshottambhai

Chokhad

Sanjaybhai Narottambhai

Khoj

Page 14 Issue 3: Mar 2016

Our deepest condolences go out to the

immediate and extended family.

Announcements

Remember to Like our Facebook Page - LPSOL. Why not send us a Tweet @londonsamaj Email Us: samaj@londonsamaj.com Or just browse – www.londonsamaj.com

Page 15 Issue 3: Mar 2016 WINTER EDITION

Happy 100th Birthday

We are proud to announce the 100th birthday of our beloved Fa-ther/Dada, Muljibhai Morarbhai Patel. Muljibhai was born on 1st April 1916 in Vadhvania, Surat, India and came to the UK in 1961. He is a great inspiration to his loving wife, the late Ramiben, his 6 chil-dren, 14 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.

He is a very content, spiritual and independent person who be-lieves that the key to happiness is to lead a simple life. He is ad-mired by those who know him and despite his grand age, he con-tinues to pursue his interests, spending much of his time devoting to God through reading and listening to Katha and bhajans.

We would like to wish him a very happy 100th birthday. You are an amazing being and we all love you very much.

Love Arvind&Renuka, Rahul&Emma, Keiran&Anika

Arvindbhai & Renukaben (Vadhvania)

Would like to announce the birth of their 5th grandchild.

Proud parents Keiran and Anika and big sister Ishara are delighted to have baby Suraiya as the new addition to their family

Page 16 Issue 3: Mar 2016 WINTER EDITION

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